“A courageous, uplifting biography of a woman almost lost to history.” -ALA Booklist World War II spy, Filipino guerrilla fighter, war hero, Medal of Freedom recipient, leprosy survivor, teacher, peacemaker . . . The legendary and inspiring life and work of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero is introduced to readers by two-time Newbery Medal winner, National Book Award finalist, and bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly. For fans of Steve Sheinkin and Candace Fleming. Joey Guerrero, a native of the Philippines, was diagnosed with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) as World War II unfolded in Europe and Asia. Soon after the Japanese occupied the Philippines, Joey–believing she would die soon–joined the guerrilla movement to complete covert missions in support of the Allies. Because of her condition, she was rarely searched by Japanese soldiers, which allowed her to courier secret messages, including an invaluable minefield map that she taped to her back. She was eventually awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and admitted to the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana, where she lived for nine years. When she was cured and released, she found it difficult to find work because of racial discrimination and her health history and was forced to pawn her Presidential Medal to make ends meet. Eventually, she shed her previous identity. When she died in 1996, her obituary identified her as a secretary from Manila. But Joey Guerrero was much more than that–she was a hero who changed the course of history. Erin Entrada Kelly’s engaging nonfiction debut combines themes of the Philippines, World War II, the Asia-Pacific War, spy stories, Louisiana, immigration, disease and medicine, racism, perseverance, religious devotion, and hope. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and other illustrative material and featuring sidebars that clearly illuminate key moments in history, At Last She Stood is for readers and educators who love Candace Fleming, Deborah Heiligman, Christina Soontornvat, and Steve Sheinkin. Includes an author’s note, source notes, index, and other back matter.
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A Knot Is Not A Tangle
Knots are necessary and imperfection is a gift in this poignant picture book about an Iranian boy learning to make a new family rug with his grandmother, from an award-winning duo.Here’s something to remember: Even a rug can be a precious thing.One morning, a young boy is woken up early by his grandmother. It’s time to make a new rug for the family. Together, they wash and dye the wool. When it’s time to knot the threads, the young boy grows nervous. He wants to make it perfect. But why aren’t the colors right? And why can’t he weave as swiftly as his grandmother?In this lyrical picture book about imperfection, tradition, and togetherness, A Knot is Not a Tangle explores the memories woven into one family’s Persian rug, and is a gentle reminder of imperfection’s greatest gifts.
A Chest Full Of Words
In this picture book packed with playful vocabulary, a young boy finds new words and discovers how to use them to change the world around him. Oscar discovers a magnificent treasure chest. When he opens it, he is disappointed at what’s inside: nothing but words. What type of treasure is that?! But when he tosses fluorescent into the bushes, a bright yellow hedgehog runs by! Soon Oscar has created a featherlight backhoe, a docile crocodile, and a monstrous—oops!—adorable beetle. Using new words is fun! Before long Oscar has emptied the chest and is left wordless. He doesn’t know where to find more words, until his neighbor Louise gives him some guidance: you can find words anytime and anywhere. Oscar begins a new hunt for words and learns all sorts of inventive ways to describe the world around him. An enthralling, phenomenal, adventuresome, imaginative, endearing, ear-catching and joyful book about language that’s sure to make kids laugh–and learn!
Tina La Gata Citadina
The Capybaras (Aldana Libros)
Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus and the New York Public Library“Purely exquisite.”—Kirkus (Starred)For kids ages 4-8, a charming and hilarious tale about capybaras: the beloved animal sensation capturing children’s hearts!Hens and their chicks love their warm, snug home. Life is simple and comfortable in the chicken coop, where everyone knows their place and worries are far away.Until one day, when the capybaras appear.To the hens, the capybaras are too big, too wet, and too hairy. They don’t even follow the rules! But it’s hunting season, and the capybaras need somewhere safe to hide. Can the hens learn to get along with their unexpected guests?This delightful story shares the importance of opening our hearts to each other, no matter our differences, and the marvelous surprises that can happen along the way.An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids
Oh No, Ojó!
Ojó loves to draw, but what happens when he starts to draw everywhere he shouldn’t? From an emerging Nigerian talent comes a humorous story dealing with a common preschooler issue.More than anything else, Ojó loves to draw. Mama says, “My little Ojó is making the world a more beautiful place.” But when he sneaks off with his sister’s pencil, she gets upset. Papa brings home markers, and Ojó starts drawing everywhere he shouldn’t. He ruins Papa’s newspaper and Mama’s shopping list and on every blank space he can find. How can his family encourage his love for drawing while teaching him that he can’t draw everywhere?Then Ojó’s sister brings home a big pad of paper and Ojó immediately begins to fill it up. Mama hangs his drawings all over the house so Ojó can still make the world a more beautiful place.This captivating picture book is a fun and funny read aloud with pictures that will make readers laugh. Based on the author-artist’s own childhood, this lush Nigerian setting introduces kids to a place that is seldom seen in picture books.
A Festa For Luana
When Launa visits her grandparents in Brazil she feels out of place but learns to appreciate both her American and Brazilian heritage during Festa Junina.
Tea Is Love
A lyrical ode to the warmth, comfort, and traditions of tea drinking, from award-winning author Adib Khorram and Caldecott Honor and the APALA winner Hanna ChaTea is a plant. Tea is a ceremony. But most of all, tea is love. Whether it’s part of an elaborate ceremony, or a quiet cup brewed for one, tea holds a special place in the hearts of millions. This poignant, lovely picture book celebrates the practice of tea-drinking across various cultures and countries, and meditates on the many meaning the ritual holds.
Little Shoes
From the bestselling and Governor General’s Award–winning author of On the Trapline comes a beautifully told and comforting picture book about a boy’s journey to overcome generational trauma of residential schools.Deep in the night, when James should be sleeping, he tosses and turns. He thinks about big questions, like why we don’t feel dizzy when the Earth spins. He looks at the stars outside his bedroom and thinks about the Night Sky Stories his kōkom has told him. He imagines being a moshom himself. On nights like these, he follows the moonlit path to his mother’s bedroom. They talk and they cuddle, and they fall asleep just like that. One day, James’s kōkom takes him on a special walk with a big group of people. It’s called a march, and it ends in front of a big pile of things: teddy bears, flowers, tobacco ties and little shoes. Kōkom tells him that this is a memorial in honor of Indigenous children who had gone to residential schools and boarding schools but didn’t come home. He learns that his kōkom was taken away to one of these schools with her sister, who also didn’t come home.That night, James can’t sleep so he follows the moonlit path to his mother. She explains to James that at residential school when Kōkom felt alone, she had her sister to cuddle, just like they do. And James falls asleep gathered in his mother’s arms.Includes an author note discussing the inspiration for the book.
You Were Made For This World Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak To Young People
A joyful, proud and groundbreaking collection of letters and art for young people, You Were Made for This World brings together celebrated Indigenous voices from across Turtle Island.Every young person deserves the chance to feel like they belong, that they are recognized, that they matter. In the spirit of A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader, You Were Made for This World brings together forty Indigenous writers, artists, activists, athletes, scholars and thinkers with a joint purpose: to celebrate the potential of young people, to share a sense of joy and pride in language, traditional and personal stories and teachings, and shared experiences, and to honor young people for who they are and what they dream of.Including contributions from activist Autumn Peltier, singer/songwriter Tanya Tagaq, hockey player Ethan Bear, Governor General’s Award–winning author David A. Robertson, artists Chief Lady Bird and Christi Belcourt, illustrator Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, and dozens of others, this beautifully collaborative collection urges readers to think about who they are, where they come from and where they’re going, with a warm familiarity that will inspire you to see yourself and your community with proud eyes.Also includes a ribbon bookmark.